Perforating apparatus



Sepi. 20, 1960 R. H. GRANZOW PERFORATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Feb. 6, 1957 HIS ATTORN E YS h w t Sept. 20, 1960 Filed Feb. 6,1957 FIG. 2

R. H. GRANZOW PERFORATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROBERT H.GRANZOW 51s ATTORNEYS Sept. 20, 1960 R. H. GRANZOW 2,953,203

PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 6, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORROBERT H. GRANZOW zzfiwu HIS ATTORNEYS Sept. 20, 1960 R. H. GRANZOWPERFORATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 6, 1957 INVENTORROBERT H. GRANZOW BY a wa {Mia HIS ATTORNEYS United States PatentOil-ice Patented Sept. 20, 1960 PERFORATING APPARATUS Robert H. Granzow,Miamisburg, Ohio, assignor to The National Cash Register Company,Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Filed Feb. 6, 1957, Ser. No.638,558

11 Claims. (CL 164-111) This invention relates to an improved type ofpunching mechanism for use in data-recording devices.

The punch mechanism of the present invention may be used in manydifferent types of recording devices, such as commonly form a part ofbusiness systems for the recording and integration of large volumes ofdata.

In its illustrated embodiment, the punch mechanism is controlled byelectromagnetic means which are responsive to data entered into therecording device, of which the punch mechanism forms a part, by a datainput machine such as a cash register, an adding machine, an accountingmachine, and/ or a media reader. For a detailed description of arepresentative data-recording system in which the punch mechanism of theinstant invention might be used, reference may be had to the UnitedStates patent application Serial No. 550,728, of Elmer A. Gerdemann,inventor, filed December 2, 1955, now United States Patent No.2,896,713, issued July 28, 1959. Driving means for the punch mechanismconsists of a normally-operating electric motor to which the punchmechanism is selectively connected by a single-revolution clutch. Therecord material normally employed is a paper tape on which the punchmechanism operates to punch data according to a predetermined code. Theelectromagnetic control means selectively release punch drive pitmansfor movement into a position in which they will be positively driven bydriving means to cause the corresponding punch to perforate the papertape. Said driving means are driven by cam means which in turn aredriven by the electric motor through the single-revolution clutch.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple and eificientpunch mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a punch mechanism in whichthe punch drive pitmans are selectively moved from a first position, inwhich they will not be driven by a cyclically-operable punch-drivingmeans, to a second position, in which they will be driven by saiddriving means to effect punch operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a punch mechanism inwhich alining means are provided to hold the punch drive pitmans intheir respective positions during a punching cycle.

An additional object is to provide positive means for preventingmovement of those punch drive pitmans which are not selected foroperation during a punching cycle.

Still a further object is to provide a punching mechanism in which theminimum number of parts consistent with eflicient, dependable operationis provided.

Still another object is to provide positive means for the return of theoperated punches and punch drive pitmans to normal, or initial, positionafter punching during each punch cycle.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention includescertain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, apreferred form or embodiment of which will hereinafter be described withreference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of thisspecification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the novel punching mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a top detail view of the punch mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the cam-controlled alining means for thedrive pitmans and also showing certain cam-operated switches.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the drive pitmans and associatedmechanism.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the single-revolution clutch anddriving gear train for the punching mechanism.

Two side frames 30 and 31 (Fig. 2) form the main supporting means forthe novel punching mechanism of the instant invention. The frames 30 and31 are held in fixed spaced-apart relationship by a number of crossmembers, including a punch support block 32 (Fig. 1), apitrnan-retaining block 33, and magnet supporting members 34 and 35.

Slidably mounted for vertical reciprocating movement in the supportblock 32 are a plurality of punches 36. In the illustrated embodiment,nine punches 36 (Figs. 1 and 2) are shown alined in a vertical planeperpendicular to the frame members 30 and 31, one punch for punchingsprocket holes in the recording tape 29, and eight others correspondingto the eight channels of the form of recording tape which it iscontemplated will be used with the embodiment shown of the punchingmechanism. It will, however, be obvious that any desired number ofpunches could be provided, according to the code and the width of thetape employed.

The chaff resulting from perforation of the tape 29 is caught inahousing 50 and subsequently is carried through a chafi chute 51 to asuitable receptacle (not shown).

Each punch 36 terminates at its lower end in a bifurcated member 37,which embraces a pitman 38. The member 37 and the pitman 38 arepivotally connected by a pin 39.

The lower edges of the bifurcated members 37 for each of the punches 36normally rest upon the upper surface of the retaining block 33 tosupport the connected punch 36 and pitman '38. A shoulder 40 on eachpitman 38 coacts with the lower surface of the block 33 to preventupward movement of the pitmans 38 when said pitmans are in the positionin which they are shown in Fig. 1. A spring 41, secured between eachp-itman 38 and a rod 42, which extends between the frame members 30 and31, urges the pitman 38 clockwise about the pin 39, as viewed in Fig. 1.The pitmans 38 are normally retained in the position in which they areshown in Fig. 1 against the force of the springs 41 by means of fingers43 on said pitmans, which cooperate with notches in armatures 44 ofpunch-selecting magnets such as 45 and 46.

The armatures 44 are fulcrumed on the edges of plates 47 and 48, securedto the members 34 and 35, and are urged into engagement with the fingers43 by means of springs 49, extending between the armatures andcorresponding hooks on the plates 47 and 48. It will be seen thatenergization of any of the punch-selecting magnets such as 45 or 46 willcause the corresponding armature 44 to be shifted to the left, as viewedin Fig. 1, out of engagement with its related finger 43 of the pitman38, thus freeing said pitman for clockwise movement, as viewed in Fig.1, under the influence of the spring 41.

An additional pitman 55, which controls the punch for punching sprocketholes in the tape, is similar to the pitmans 38, except that it is notprovided with a finger 43 and normally is held in the position in whichit is shown in Fig. l by a spring 56 extending between the pitman 55 anda rod 57.

All of the pitmans 38 and the pitman 55 are retained in their properside-by-side, spaced-apart relationship by means of two comb plates58'and 59. The comb plate 58 is mounted on and extends between theframes 30 and 31 and'coacts with the fingers 43 of the pitmajns 38,While the comb plate 59 is secured to the block33 and is slotted alongits upper and lower edges to cooperate with corresponding portions ofthe pitmans 38 and the pitman 55.

Each of the pitmans 38 and 55 has an enlarged lower portions toaccommodate a cut-out 60, which forms an idling space 61, an upperdriving surface 62, and a lower driving surface 63. A driving bar 64extends through all of the cut-outs 60 and is secured at its ends to twocompanion plates, one of which is shown at 65 in Fig. 1, and

70 and 71, respectively, fixed to a cam shaft 72, journaled in theframes 30 and .31. Rotation of the cam shaft 72 causes rocking of theplates '65 and 66 and the driving bar 64, to effect shifting o'fthepitman 55- and selected 1 ones of the pitmans 38, as will be describedsubsequently.

Atone end, the cam shaft 72 extends through the frame 30 (Figs. 2 andand has fixed thereto a gear 73, which is driven through an idling gear74 by a gear 75,

fixed to the output of a single-revolution-type clutch 76.

A gear 77, secured to the input of the clutch 76, is driven through agear train (not shown) by 'a motor (not shown), which is constantly inoperation whenever the recording system, with which the punchingmechanism is associated, is operating. When the clutch 76 is tripped,

the motor will be connected, through the above-described gear train, tothe cam shaft 72 of the punching mechanism to cause the cam shaft tomake one complete rotation.

Two punch clutch trip magnets 78 are provided and, when energized, willremove a block 79 from engagement with a projection 80 on the clutch toallow the clutch to operate to drive the punching mechanism. A stop 84is provided to limit the clockwise movement (Fig. 5 of the block 79. Asecond projection 81 on the clutch 76 cooperates with a a second block82 to prevent retrograde movement of the clutch. The blocks 79 and 82are interconnected'by means of a spring 85. At one end, the clutch isjournaled in the frame 30, and at its other end it is journaled in a.

bracket 83, secured to the frame 30. The bracket 83 also serves asmounting means for the clutch magnets 78 and the associatedclutch-operating mechanism. 4 The punch clutch trip magnets 78 areenergized'each time'one or more of the pitmans 38 is released. A bail145 (Fig. 1) extends across the pitmans 38 and is carried by a pair ofarms 146 pivoted on a rod 147 mounted in the frames 30 and 31. One ofthe arms is formed with an extension 148, which coacts with a block 149to operate contacts SC3al. When any one of the-pitmans 38 is rocked,upon its release by its related armature 44, it will rockjthe bail 145counter-clockwise, against the force of a spring 150, secured thereto,to close the contacts SC3al, which. are in an operating circuit'for thepunch clutch trip magnets 78. This will energize the magnets 78 torender the clutch effective to connect the motor to the cam shaft 72 todrive it through one complete rotation. The contacts SC3al remain closedfrom 0 degrees to 190 degrees of the rotation of the camshaft 72.

Means are provided for positively alining and holding the pitmans 38 and55 the positions in which they have been disposed while the actualtape-punching operation takes place. As shown in Fig. 3, a'cam 90 on thecam shaft 72 cooperates with a roller791 on an alining member 92 to rocksaid member in regularly-excursioned movement during each cycleofoperationof the punching.

- at the lowerend of each ofthe-pitmans38 and 55 and 4 l urgedclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3, by 'a spring 94a, connected between thealiner 94 and a stud (not shown) on the frame 31. The configuration ofthe cam 90 is such that the aliner 94 is out of the path of movement ofthe fingers 95 during the time that some of the pitmans 38 are beingreleased bythe armatures 44 and rocked by the springs 41 to the dottedline position of Fig. 4. The cam 90, however, permits theialiner 94 tobe shifted upwardly by the spring 9411 to be positioned in the path ofmovement of the fingers. 95 during the time that the selected pitmans 38and their related punches 36 are being shifted upwardly by the drivingbar 64 to punch the tape with the desired'information.

the pitman 55 and with those pitmans 38 which have been a clockwise.

released by their related armatures 44 and rocked clockwise .bythesprings 41, to shift said pitmans counter- The fingers 43 of thepitmans 38 so rocked are thereby caused to re-engage the notches oftheir related armatures to retain said pitmans in the position in whichthey are shown in Fig. 1. Since the'sprocket hole pitman .55 has nofinger 43, its movement under the influence .of the restoring plate 100will be merely an idle one, and the pitman 55 will be returned by thespring 56 to theposititon in which it is shown in Fig. 1 when the plate100 moves back to its normal position.

Means operable near the end of each cycle of operation are provided toinsure that the armatures 44 for the punch-selecting magnets arereturned to the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 1for'engagement of the notches therein with the fingers 43 of thepitrnans 38. Normally, the springs 49 accomplish this function, but itis desirable .to have a returnmechanism for the armatures 44 in theeventthat one or more should remain stuck to a'magnet after deenergization ofsaid magnet due to residnal magnetism, or the failure of one of thesprings 49.

A restoring bail 1 01, positioned to coact with the armatI- IQS '44 torestore them to the position inwhich they arev Shown in Fig. 1 at theconclusion of each cycle of operation, is formed integral with two arms102 and 103 rotatably mounted on the shaft 99. The bail 191 and the arms102 and.103 arenormally held in theposition in which they are shown inFig. 1 by a spring 104, connected between the bail 101 and a rod 105,fixed to the frame 30. An extension 86 of the arm'102 is provided with apin 8 7, positioned in the path of movement of a surface 88 on the arm98. As the arm 98 is shifted by the cam 96 during eachcycle of punchoperation, the surface 83 V shaft 99. During this movement, the bail 101contacts any armatures' 44 which are stuck in their operated positionand returns them to the position in which they are shown in Fig; 1.

'Antape-feeding pinwheelfl106 (Fig.1) is fixed on a shaft .107journaled'in the frarnesl30 and 31 and has, in 7 its. periphery, pinswhich engagethe feed holes in the tape to advance thetape after it ispunched, A ratchet wheel 108, also fixedon the shaft 107, is adva'ncedstep by step by means, of a' tooth 109 on an arm110 pivotall attached totheupper end; of'a'feed link 111' pivotally secured at its :lower end tothearm98by a pin 112. Also pivotal ly secured to the upper end of thelink 111 at'the point of attachment'of the arm 110 tosaid'link -isan 1arn1113 rotatablymounted' onthe shaft 107; Aspiing 11'4 connects thefree ends of the arms 110 and '11-3. -'During eaeh'cyele of operation ofthe-punching mechahism, as the arm 98 is rocked by the cam 96, thismovement is transmitted by the link 111 to the arms 110 and 113, causingthe arm 113 to be rocked clockwise about the shaft 107 and causing thearm 110 to be shifted downwardly. The tooth 109 on the arm 110 coactswith the adjacent tooth on the ratchet wheel 108 to carry said wheel onestep in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, thus advancing thepinwheel 106, and the paper tape with which it is normally engaged, oneincrement. During subsequent return movement of the arm 98, the arm 110is returned upwardly to the position in which it is shown in Fig. "l,the tooth 109 on said arm ratcheting past the adjacent tooth on theratchet wheel 108.

A detent wheel 115, also fixed on the shaft 107, co-

operates with a roller 116 on an arm 117 to accurately position thepinwheel 106 and to prevent retrograde movement of said pinwheel and theratchet wheel 108 during the upward return movement of the arm 110,having the tooth 109 thereon. The arm 117 is pivotally mounted on ashaft 118, fixed in the frame 30, and is urged clockwise, as viewed inFig. 1, by a spring 119, connected between the arm 117 and a rod 89,fixed in the frame 30, to maintain the roller 116 in engagement with thedetent wheel 115. I Switch means associated with a punching mechanismare provided to effect the halting of punch operation in the event thattension on the tape becomes so great as to cause improper punching, orin the event of breakage of the tape. The operating mechanism for saidswitch will now be described.

In the recording apparatus, the tape will be guided from a supply roll(not shown) through various guiding elements (not shown) over a roller120 (Fig. 1) on a tension control arm 121, under a tape feeler 122,through the punching section of the punching mechanism, over thepinwheel 106, and under a cooperating pressure plate 123, aroundadditionalguide means (not shown) to a take-up reel (not shown).

The tension control arm 121, the tape feeler 122, and the pressure plate123 cooperate to open contacts SClbl in an operating circuit for thepunch clutch trip magnets 78 to prevent an operation of the punchingmechanism under the following conditions, which would contribute to animproper punching of the tape.

The tape feeler 122 is carried by an arm 124, which is pivoted on a stud125. With a supply of tape in the punching mechanism, the feeler 122will be supported by the tape; but, as soon as the tape breaks or theend of the tape passes the feeler, the feeler will drop: downwardly androck the arm 124 clockwise (Fig. 1) about the stud 125. The arm 124 ispivotally connected to a link 126. A spring 127, connected between thelink 126 and the frame 30, urges said link upwardly, as viewed in Fig.l, and urges the arm 124 clockwise. Movement of the link 126 and the arm124 under the influence of the spring 127 is limited by a stop member128, which coacts with a surface on said link. At its lower end, thelink 126 is provided with an operating finger 130, of insulatingmaterial, which is positioned to coact with the upper blade 131 of thecontacts SClbl. When the arm 124 rocks clockwise, it will pull the link126 upwardly, thereby causing the finger 130 to carry the blade 131upwardly to open the contacts SClbl.

The contacts SClbl are also opened when the pressure plate 123 is movedaway from the pinwheel 106. The pressure plate 123 is mounted on a lever132 pivoted on a stud 133, fixed on the side frame 30. A link 134 isconnected to the lever 132 and has a pin-and-slot connection with thearm 124, so that, whenever the lever 132 is rocked to move the pressureplate 123 away from the pinwheel 106, the link 134 will rock the arm 124counterclockwiselto raise the feeler 122 above the tape. Thecounter-clockwise rocking of the arm 124 will shift the link 126downwardly and cause the insulated finger 130 thereon to coact with thelower blade 140 of the contacts 6 SClbl to shift said lower bladedownwardly, thereby opening the contacts SClbl.

A further control of the contacts SClbl prevents punching if there istoo much tension on the tape and improper punching would result. Theroller is supported at the upper end of the arm 121, which is pivoted ona stud 135, fixed in the frame 30, and is normally urgedcounterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1, by a spring 136, connectedbetween the arm 121 and the frame 30, to maintain a surface on the arm121 in contact with a stop 137, fixed in the frame 30. A stud 138 isfixed in the lower portion of the arm 121 in such a position as to coactwith the lower blade of the contacts SClbl. The stud 138 extends througha guide slot 139 in the link 126 and serves to limit sidewise movementof said link. If the feeding of the tape from the supply reel becomesblocked and the feeding of the tape by the pinwheel 106 continues, thetension on the tape will be increased and will shift the roller 120 tothe right, as shown in Fig. 1, rocking the arm 121 clockwise. A stud129, fixed to the frame 30, limits clockwise movement of the arm 121.The stud 138, in such an event, coacts with the extended lower blade 140of the contacts SClbl to open said contacts. As soon as the tension hasbeen relieved, the spring 136 will return the arm 121 to its normalposition and will allow the contacts SClbl to reclose.

Additional mechanical switching means are provided on the punchmechanism for operation of switches used to perform various functions inthe recording system.

A cam (Fig. 3), fixed to the camshaft 72, cooperates with a cam follower156, mounted on an arm 157, which is pivoted on a stud 158, fixed to theframe 30, to operate a set of normally-closed contacts SC2bl. The arm157 is normally urged clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3, by a spring 161,connected thereto, to maintain the follower 156 in engagement with thecam 155. An operator 159, fixed to the arm 157, coacts with a blade 160to cause the contacts SCZbl to open at approximately 36 degrees of therotation of the camshaft 72 and to remain open until said shaft hascompleted approximately 192 degrees of its rotation. The contacts SC2blare in the operating circuit for the punch clutch trip magnets 78 andserve to deenergize these magnets after rotation of the camshaft 72 hasbeen initiated.

Another cam, 162 (Fig. 3), fixed to the camshaft 72, coacts with anoperator 163 to eifect operation of the contacts SC4al. The operator 163is fixed to a blade 164, operatively connected to the contacts SC4al.These contacts are normally open and will be closed from 215 degrees to310 degrees of rotation of the camshaft 72. When a media reader or othermeans for reading perforated tags is employed in a recording systemembodying the instant punching mechanism, the contacts SC4al serve tosynchronize the operation of the media reader with the operation of therecorder. The contacts SC4al are located in the circuit to the mediareader clutch trip magnet and serve to prevent a further operation ofthe media reader until the recording operation corresponding to thecurrent operation of the media reader has commenced. One example of themanner in which the contacts SC4al might function would be in asituation Where the punch clutch trip magnets 78 have been burned out orotherwise rendered ineffective. In this case, a rotation of the camshaft72 could not be commenced, and the contacts SC4al would thereby preventanother operation of the media reader from taking place until thedefective magnets 78 had been replaced.

If desired, the novel punch mechanism of the present invention may alsobe providedwith a set of contacts SCSacl and SCSbcl (Fig. 5) for use ina sequential timing and checking circuit of the type disclosed in UnitedStates patent application, Serial No. 561, 866, of Edgar H. Sonnanstine,Jr., and Robert H. Granzow, inventors, filed January 27, 6, now UnitedStates Patent No. 2,789,644, issued April 23, 1957. Such a device isemployed to keep a sequential stepping switch in a recorder in itscorrect phase relationshipwwith the punching mechanism.

l Secured to the camshaft 72 (Fig.5) of the punching mechanism isa'pinion 167, which meshes with a gear 168, secured on a shaft 169,journaled in the frame 30. Also secured on the shaft 169 is a cam 170.Since the pitch diameter of thegear 168 is twice that of the pinion 167,thefcam 170 makes one half of a complete rotation each timethe punchingmechanism cycles. -A cam follower i171, fixed to an arm 172, ispositioned to coact with the periphery of the cam 170 and is retained inengagement with said cam by a spring 173, secured to the 172 and to theframe 30. The arm 17.2 is pivotally mounted by a stud 174 ,on a bracket175, secured to the frame 30. Also fixed on the bracket {175 are thecontacts SCSqcl and SCSbcl, which are positioned to be controlled by anoperator 176, fixed to one end of the arm 172. The configuration of thecam 170is such that, during'each cycle of the punching mechanism, one ofthe sets of contacts SCSacl and SCSbcl will open and the other willclose, and, during the next succeeding cycle of the punching mecha-,nism, the contacts which were closed in the previous cycle will beopened, and the contacts which were opened will be closed. For adetailed description of the manner in which the contacts SCSacl andSCSbcl perform a timing function, reference may be had to thepreviously-cited Patent No. 2,789,644. a

A plug unit 177 (Figs. 2 and 5), connected to the frame 30 by means ofstuds 178, and spaced therefrom by means of sleeves 179 on said studs,is normally used to connect the electrical circuit components of thepunching mechanism of the present invention to the circuitry of theremainder of the recording system.

Operation A brief description of the operation of the novel punchingmechanismwill now be made. As has been stated, a representativedata-recording system in which this punching mechanism might be employedis shown in the previously-cited United States Patent No. 2,896,713.Therefore it will be assumed, for purposes of this explanation, that thesystem shown therein is used to control the punching. mechanismdescribed, and, for a detailed description of the manner in which thepunching mechanism is controlled to perform its various functions,reference may be had to that application.

Assuming that power to thesys'tem has been turned on, and that saidsystemis completely prepared for operation,

the entry of data to'the system, through a c'ash register'or other datainput device, according to a predetermined program, will cause a circuitto be completed to one or more of the punch-selecting magnets, such as45 and 46 (Fig. '1). These magnets'are thereby energized, causing thecorresponding armatures 44 to be shifted to the left, as viewed in Fig.1, releasing their related pitmans'38 for movement under the'infiuenceof the springs 41 to the dotted-line position in which they are shown inFig.4.

This movement of any of the pitrnans 38 causes'the bail 145 to be rockedcounter-clockwise in the manner previously described, to close thecontacts SC3al. The closing of the contacts SC3al completes a circuitfor the energization of the punch clutch trip magnet 78. (Figs. 2

, afposition in which they, together with their corresponding punches36, will be operated by'the drive bar 64 in an npward'direction. l V w iSubsequently to. the 'previously described movement oft-he aliner 94,the cams 70 and 7:1 coact with the correspondingrollers 6 8 and '69 toshift the drivebar 64 up- 'waraly. rhosepitmans 38 which have not beenshifted '8 9 from the position in which they are shown in Fig. 1 arenot'moved upwardly by the drive bar- 64, since the 'cut ou't 60 of these'pitmans has the idle space-'61 positioned in the path of movement ofthe drive bar 64, and the drive car is, therefore, ineffective to movethese pitmans. However, the selected pitmans which have been shifted tothe dotted-line position of Fig. 4, as well as the sprocket hole pitman55, present their upper driving surfaces 62 in the path of movement ofthe'drive bar '64. As said drive bar moves upwardly in itsregularly-excursioned movement, it contacts these surfaces 62' andcarries the selected pitmans and their corresponding punches 36 upwardlywith it. This upward movement of the edema punches 36 causes the papertape to be perforated by them in the corresponding channels at the pointat which it is positioned on the upper surface of the punch supportblock 32 directly over the line of punches 36. V

The pitmans '38 which have not been. selected by energization of theirpunch-selecting magnets are posiing block 33. On the other hand, theshoulder 40 of any pinnan 38 which has been shifted to the dotted-lineposition shown in Fig. 4 is moved so that it will not engage the block33' during the'upward movement of said pitman and its associated punch36.

Continued rotation of the camshaft 72 causes the drive bar 64 to bereturned downwardly and to carry theoperated pitmans 38 and down with itby contact of the lower edge of the drive bar 64 with the lower drivingsurface 63 of the cut-out of each of the operated pitm ans. A positivemeans is thus provided to return all of the pitmans and their associatedpunches to their lower position.

During continued revolution of the camshaft 72, and after return of thedrive bar 64 to its original position, the cam (Fig. 3) rocks the arm.92 to cause the aliner 94- to move out of the position in which itretains the fingers 95 of the pitmans 38 and 55 against movement. With.the aliner 94 out of the path of movement ,of the fingers 95, therestoring plate i is caused. to move clockwise to the right (Fig. l) tocoact with adjacent surfaces of the operated pitmans 38 and 55 to shiftthese pitm'ans from the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 4 to thesolidline position shown in Figs. 1 and 4. This return of the pitmans totheir original unoperated position is effected by the cam 96 on thecamshaft 72, in cooperation with the roller 97 on the arm 98, to whichthe restoring plate 100 is fixed. a i

Clockwise movement of the;arn1 98,' as viewed in Fig. l,

V is also 'e'fiective to cause the armatures 44 to be positivelyreturned to their original positions by contact of the surface 88on-thearm 98 with the pin 87 on the extension 86. This rocks the extension 86,the arm 103, with which it is integral, the arm 102, and'the restoringbail 101 clockwise about the shaft 99 and causes the restoring bail 101to coact with the armatures 44 to positively return any of the operatedarmatures 44 to their original unoperated position, as shown in Fig.1;Since the pitmans 38 have also been returned to their originalunoperated position, as described above, the. notches of the armatures44 V engage the fingers 43 on Said pitmans and retain the pitmans 38 inthe position in which they are shown in Fig. 1.

During this time, the paper tape is also advanced one increment by thetape-feeding means previously described. The clockwise movement of thearm98 under the influence of the cam 96 shifts the link 1111 andthe'arms 11 0 and 113, in the manner previously described, to cause thepinwheel 106, 'the ratchet wheel" 108, and the detent wheel 115,. all ofwhich-are fixed to the shaft 107, to be 7 advanced one step in a'clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, to position a new ection ofpaper tape opposite the ends or the unches 36 for perroratioaa eordingto 9 the determined code and the data entered into the recording system.

During each punching cycle, the contacts SCZbl, SC4al, and SCSacl andSC5bcl are also caused to operate at a predetermined time in the mannerpreviously described, to perform their respective functions in theoperation of the data-recording system.

Since the punch clutch trip magnets 78 have been deenergized by theopening of the contacts SCZbl in the operating circuit for said magnetsduring the punching cycle, the block 79 (Fig. 5) will be returned by thespring 85 into the path of movement of the projection 80 on the clutch76. This will uncouple the recorder motor from the camshaft 72. to haltthe punching mechanism after completion of a single cycle, unlessanother signal has been received from the data input means prior to theend of the cycle.

During normal operation of the recording system, in the recording of aprogram of information comprising more than one character, signalsrelating to each successive character are received from the data inputmeans prior to the end of the punching cycle for theimmediately-preceding character. This causes the contacts SC3al to beclosed to reenergize the magnets 78 before the end of the cycle, therebyshifting the block 79 out of the path of movement of the projection 80on the clutch 76, so that the recorder motor and the camshaft 72 remainuninterruptedly coupled for another cycle of punch operation. Thecontinuous coupling of the recorder motor and the camshaft 72 results inhigher operating speed of the system and less wear on the punchmechanism, since no starting and stopping, with their attendant inertiaeffects, take place until punching of all of the information in aprogram has been completed.

While the form of the invention shown and described herein is admirablyadapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understoodthat it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form orembodiment disclosed herein, for it is susceptible of embodiment invarious other forms.

What is claimed is:

1. Punching apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of punchelements; a plurality of drive pitmans operatively connected to thepunch elements; a cutout portion in the pitmans including a drivingsurface and an idling space; control fingers on the pitmans; springmeans urging the pitmans in one direction; shiftable retaining meansnormally engaged with the control fingers of the pitmans for holdingsaid pitmans in a first position; means for controlling the shiftableretaining means, and operable to move selected ones of the shiftableretaining means out of engagement with the pitmans, thereby enabling thespring means to move the released pitmans from said first position to asecond position; and cyclically operable operating means having adriving member extending through the cut-out portions of the pitmans andcoacting during each punching cycle with the driving surface of thosepitmans which have been shifted to said second position to drive thosepitmans and their corresponding punch elements in a punch-operatingmovement to an operated position, said member at the same time moving inthe idling space of the pitmans which remain in said first position andbeing there fore ineffective to drive the latter pitmans.

2. The punching apparatus of claim 1 in which the cut-out portion of thepitmans also includes a second driving surface located opposite thefirst-mentioned driving surface, the driving member coacting during aportion of each cycle with the second driving surface of those pitmanswhich have previously during the cycle been driven in a punch-operatingmovement to drive said pitmans in a return movement from their operatedposition.

3. The punching apparatus of claim 2 including a cyclically-operablepitman-positioning means for shift- 10 ing theoperated pitmans from saidsecond position t6 said first position after they have been returnedfrom their operated position.

4. The punching apparatus of claim 3 including means for advancing therecord material to be punched past the punch elements.

5. The'punching apparatus of claim 4 in which therecord-material-advancing means is operated in unison with thepitman-positioning means.

6. The punching apparatus of claim 3 including means operable in unisonwith the pitman-positioning means for returning the shifted retainingmeans into engagement with their corresponding pitman control fingers.

7. The punching apparatus of claim 1 including a fixed retaining member;and complementary retaining surfaces on the retaining member and thedrive pitmans cooperating so that, when the drive pitmans are in saidfirst posit-ion, they are positively restrained against punch-operatingmovement, the movement of the pitmans from said first position to saidsecond position being effective to move the retaining Surfaces of thepitmans out of cooperative relationship to the corresponding surfaces onthe retaining member to free Said pitmans for subsequent punch-operatingmovement.

8. The punching apparatus of claim 1 including alining means operableduring a punching cycle to hold the pitmans against movement from saidfirst position to said second position and vice versa.

9. The punching apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for controllingthe shiftable retaining means comprises a plurality of magnets.

10. Punching apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of punchelements; a plurality of operators positively connected to the punchelements, each of said operators having a driving surface thereon;spring means urging the operators in one direction; shiftable retainingmeans normally engaged with the operators for holding said operators ina first position; means for controlling the shiftable retaining means,and operable to move selected ones of the shiftable retaining means outof engagement with the operators, thereby enabling the spring means tomove the released operators from said first position to a secondposition; actuating means partaking of regularly-excursioned movementfor coaction with the driving surfaces of any of the operators whichhave been shifted from said first position to said second position foroperation of the corresponding punch elements, the driving surfaces ofthose operators remaining in said first position being located out ofthe path of movement of the actuating means; a stop member; and surfaceson the operators arranged to coact with said stop member when theoperators are in said first position to positively retain them againstmovement for operating their respective punch elements.

11. Punching apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality ofpunchelements; a plurality of operators positively connected to thepunch elements, each of said operators having a driving surface thereon;spring means urging the operators in one direction; shiftable retainingmeans normally engaged with the operators for holding said operators ina first position; means for controlling the shiftable retaining means,and operable to move selected ones of the shiftable retaining means outof engagement with the operators, thereby enabling the spring means tomove the released operators from said first position to a secondposition; actuating means partaking of regularly-excursioned movementfor coaction with the driving surfaces of any of the operators 'whichhave been shifted from said first position to said second position foroperation of the corresponding punch elements, the driving surfaces ofthose operators remaining in said first position being located out ofthe path of movement of the actuating means; and alining means which areoperative during a punching operation to hold the operatorsagainst-movement from said first position to said secondpdsit'ionznd'viceversa.

Rfierente's Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSmesa-#11 2,431,661 7 zgzomos. 27373-41 VVFGREIGN iNFENTS Germany Apr.21, 1-917

